Where your computer stores the WiFi password

Your computer keeps the WiFi password in a protected system file so it can reconnect automatically without asking you each time. On Windows, this lives in the Credential Manager. On Mac, it's in the Keychain. On Linux, it depends on which network manager you use, but it's usually in a folder called NetworkManager or stored by your desktop environment.

The password is encrypted, which means you can't just open a text file and read it. But your operating system can decrypt it for you if you have administrator access to the computer. This is a security feature — it keeps someone who borrows your laptop from easily grabbing your WiFi password and sharing it.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 and 11, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi, select your network, and click Manage Known Networks to see the password.
  • On Mac, open Keychain Access from Applications > Utilities, search for your network name, double-click it, check "Show password", and enter your Mac login password.
  • On Linux, the method varies by desktop environment, but checking your NetworkManager settings or looking in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/ usually works.
  • You need administrator or root access on your computer to view saved passwords — the system won't show them to a standard user account.

Finding the password on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Settings app and go to Network & Internet. Click WiFi in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Manage Known Networks. Find your network name in the list and click it. A window opens showing network details. Click Manage at the top right.

A new window appears with a checkbox that says Show next to a password field. Click that checkbox. Windows asks you to enter your computer login password — this is the password you use to sign into your Windows account, not your WiFi password. Type it and click OK. Your WiFi password now appears in plain text.

If you don't see your network in the Manage Known Networks list, it means your computer hasn't saved it yet. Connect to the network once, let Windows save it, then repeat these steps.

Finding the password on Mac

Open Finder and go to Applications. Open the Utilities folder. Double-click Keychain Access. In the search box at the top right, type your WiFi network name exactly as it appears in your WiFi menu.

The network appears in the list below. Double-click it. A window opens showing network details. Near the bottom, you'll see a checkbox labeled Show password. Click it. Mac asks for your login password — the one you use to unlock your Mac. Type it and click Allow. Your WiFi password is now visible in the password field.

If Keychain Access doesn't find your network, make sure you're searching for the exact network name. Some networks broadcast a hidden SSID, which means Keychain won't list them by name — you'll need to look for an entry labeled with the network's MAC address instead, which is harder to identify.

Finding the password on Linux

Linux stores WiFi passwords differently depending on which desktop environment you use. On Ubuntu with GNOME, open Settings, go to WiFi, click the gear icon next to your connected network, and look for the password field under Security. You may need to click a button to reveal it.

If that doesn't work, or if you use a different desktop environment, open a terminal and navigate to the NetworkManager folder. Type sudo cat /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/[your-network-name], replacing [your-network-name] with your actual network name. The system asks for your sudo password. The output shows a line starting with psk= — the text after that is your WiFi password.

Some Linux systems use different network managers like ConnMan or iwd. If the NetworkManager path doesn't work, check your system's documentation for where it stores connection files. You always need root or sudo access to view saved passwords on Linux.

What to do if you can't remember your login password

If you've forgotten the password to your Windows account or Mac login, you can't view your saved WiFi password without resetting your account password first. Windows lets you reset a forgotten password using a Microsoft account or a recovery key if you set one up. Mac has similar recovery options through your Apple ID.

If you don't have access to those recovery methods, you may need to reset your computer to factory settings, which erases everything. Before you do that, contact the computer manufacturer's support line — they can sometimes help you regain access without a full reset.

Viewing passwords for networks you're not currently connected to

You can see the password for any network your computer has ever connected to, even if you're not connected right now. On Windows, the Manage Known Networks list shows all saved networks. On Mac, Keychain Access shows all networks you've ever joined. On Linux, the system-connections folder contains files for every network you've saved.

This is useful if you want to share your WiFi password with a guest but you're not sure which network they should join, or if you're troubleshooting a connection problem and need to verify the password is correct.

Why your computer might not have saved the password

If you connected to a network but your computer didn't save the password, it usually means you unchecked the "Save this network" or "Remember this network" box when you first connected. Some networks also don't allow automatic reconnection for security reasons — you have to enter the password every time.

If you need the password and your computer didn't save it, you'll have to get it from whoever set up the network. For a home network, that's usually the person who installed the router. For a work or school network, contact IT support. For a public network like a coffee shop, ask an employee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the WiFi password if I'm using a guest account?

No. Guest accounts and standard user accounts don't have permission to view saved passwords. You need to log in with an administrator account on Windows or Mac, or use sudo on Linux. If you only have a guest account, ask the computer's owner to show you the password or create an administrator account for you.

What if the password field is blank or shows asterisks?

If you see asterisks instead of the actual password, the checkbox to show the password didn't work. Try clicking it again, or restart Keychain Access on Mac or Settings on Windows and try once more. If it still doesn't work, your account may not have administrator permissions.

Is it safe to write down my WiFi password after I find it?

Yes. Writing it down and storing it somewhere find is safer than relying on your memory. Keep the written password in a place only you and trusted household members can access — not on a sticky note on your monitor. You might also store it in a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password.

Can I change my WiFi password from my computer?

No. Your computer stores the password but doesn't control it. To change your WiFi password, you need to log into your router's admin panel, which usually means opening a web browser and going to a local address like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Check your router's manual or the sticker on the back for the exact address and default login credentials.

What if I see multiple entries for the same network?

This sometimes happens if you've reconnected to the same network after it was reconfigured, or if the network broadcasts under multiple names. Try each one until you find the password that works. On Mac, you can delete duplicate entries in Keychain Access by right-clicking and selecting Delete.